The United States will mediate a new round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, marking a renewed diplomatic effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to end the war as fighting intensifies and winter approaches.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the talks Monday, November 2, saying discussions would focus on postwar security arrangements, military de-escalation, humanitarian assistance and possible steps toward a peace agreement. According to Reuters Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to lead the American delegation.
The announcement follows weeks of diplomatic contacts involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly agreed to resume negotiations following a meeting with Witkoff in St. Petersburg last month, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed willingness to pursue further talks.
Washington seeks progress as major differences remain
The Abu Dhabi meeting will be the first US-mediated trilateral negotiating round since February, when discussions in Geneva ended without significant progress. The diplomatic process subsequently stalled as Washington became increasingly involved in the conflict with Iran. Substantial disagreements remain over territorial control, security guarantees and the conditions for a ceasefire. Russia has maintained its territorial demands, while Ukraine insists that any agreement must protect its sovereignty and prevent renewed aggression.
Ahead of the negotiations, American officials will travel to Brussels this week for meetings with representatives of France, Germany, Britain, the European Union and NATO. Discussions will address Ukraine’s long-term security guarantees, Europe’s postwar defense arrangements and financial assistance for Ukrainian reconstruction.
The diplomatic initiative follows recent meetings in Kyiv, Oslo and St. Petersburg, although neither side has announced substantive concessions.
Deadly Russian strikes overshadow diplomatic initiative
The announcement came as Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian strikes on a school being used as a humanitarian aid distribution center in Komyshuvakha, in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, killed at least 26 people Monday. Approximately 20 others were initially reported missing, while rescue operations continued under the threat of further attacks.
Zelensky condemned the bombing, arguing that continued Russian attacks undermined prospects for meaningful de-escalation. The violence followed the expiration of a rare six-day humanitarian ceasefire around the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in neighboring Kherson.
The temporary ceasefire, coordinated with the involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump and the Vatican, allowed humanitarian supplies to reach civilians and hundreds of residents to be evacuated. Ukrainian military officials subsequently accused Russia of using the pause to reinforce its positions, although both sides reported that the humanitarian arrangement itself had been observed.
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